[7][8] He debuted as an adult leading role in Fazil's 1997 romantic drama Aniyathipraavu opposite Shalini, which became the highest-grossing Malayalam film till then, establishing him as a bankable actor overnight.

[9][10][11] He appeared in a brief role in Harikrishnans (1998) starring Mohanlal and Mammootty, which was the top Malayalam box office grosser of the year.

Kunchacko and Shalini joined again in successful romantic films Nakshatratharattu (1998) and Niram (1999) and Prem Poojari (1999).

By then he had created a "romantic hero" image in Malayalam cinema, nevertheless, he also had success in other genres, as a villager in the comedy Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka (2001) and as a son to a debt-ridden family in Kasthooriman (2003).

[13] After his comeback, Kunchacko completely changed his chocolate boy and romantic hero image and he proved his versatility as an actor by doing various different roles.

[14] In the comeback, he raised his stardom with commercially successful films and reestablished himself as one of the popular lead actors of Mollywood.

(2014), Take Off (2017), Vettah (2016), Virus (2019), Anjaam Pathiraa (2020), Nayattu (2021), Pada (2022) and Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) were widely appreciated.

[20] Kunchacko Boban married his fan-turned long-term sweetheart, Priya Ann Samuel, on April 2, 2005, at Little Flower Syro Malabar Catholic Church, Ernakulam.

[23][24] His son's baptism took place on 30 June 2019 and the event was attended by prominent personalities of the Malayalam film industry.

His real comeback was in 2009 with comedy film Gulumal: The Escape, directed by popular ad filmmaker and director V. K. Prakash.

In 2010 he played the lead role in the films such as Jeethu Joseph's Mummy & Me, Sakudumbam Shyamala and Lal Jose's Elsamma Enna Aankutty, all of which were commercial successes and reviewers praised Kunchacko Boban for his performance in Elsamma Enna Aankutty.

The film's success and wide critical acclaim ushered in a trend that followed in Malayalam cinema, dubbed the New generation movies.

[34] His started 2013 with comedy thriller Romans, which was a blockbuster at the box office and later, 3 Dots, God for Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam,[35] Kadhaveedu, Vishudhan, and Pullipulikalum Aattinkuttiyum, a commercial success.

[36] Kunchacko Boban also gained critical acclaim for his performance, in films such as God for Sale: Bhakthi Prasthanam (2013), Vishudhan (2013), Kadhaveedu (2013), How Old Are You (2014), Madhura Naranga (2015), Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal (2015) and Vettah (2016).

He was also a part of Valiya Chirakulla Pakshikal, directed by Dr. Biju, was an eye-opener on how the use of endosulfan affected Northern Kerala villages.

The year 2017 saw three films, Take Off, Ramante Eden Thottam and Varnyathil Aashanka, earned him numerous accolades as a mature and versatile actor.

[39] Take Off was produced in memory of the late director Rajesh Pillai and earned several awards in State, National and International competitions.

[51][52] He started 2022 with political social-thriller film Pada and starred in Ariyippu and Nna Thaan Case Kodu later that year.